“Manchett” (sic) “can attack the fore-arm either above or below, according as the opponent gives an opening.
“Manchett is generally used against an adversary whose guard is defective. By merely extending the arm with a turn of the wrist, this attack may readily succeed should the opponent neglect to provide against it.
“One of the most dangerous guards against Manchett is Tierce; the surest is High Seconde, which indeed is also the best parry adapted to this system of attack.”
The first member of the last paragraph is sensible; the second is thoroughly fallacious. As has been stated, the right-handed man must always engage in Tierce, and, as will presently appear, Tierce is the safest, indeed the only safe guard against Manchette cuts. Another Italian writer of our day describes and figures the “Position of the weaponed arm to escape the arm-cut” (Colpo di braccio), with the elbow-joint left clean open. The ‘Infantry Sword Exercise’ limits itself (p. 30) to these few lines: “If opposed to the Small Sword (sic, meaning straight sword or rapier) have recourse to Cuts Three (No. 13 of this system) and Four (No. 11), directing them at the arm, by which means there is every probability of the cuts taking effect, as it must always come within range of the edge, before the point can be sufficiently advanced to reach your body: if the above cuts are quickly given and continued, they will also be found advantageous in advancing against the Small Sword, as they constitute an attack and form a defence at the same moment; but should the opponent be the most skilful and quickest (sic) in his movements, then it is best to retire whilst giving them, cautiously preserving the proper distance, so that each cut may just reach the fore part of his arm.” The French content themselves with single oppositions of Tierce and Carte. But why multiply instances of ignorance?—they would fill many a useless page.
Finally I meditated upon the comparative humanity of “Manchette,” of disabling the opponent by an arm-cut, rather than laying open his flank or his head. During single rencontres in the field, especially at the end of Indian battles, it is so often necessary to put hors de combat some unfortunate, whose pluck or sense of honour induces him to prolong the hopeless attack.
These considerations led me to reflect seriously for a number of years upon the Jeu de Manchette, the Colpi all’ avambraccio, or fore-arm play, which has been so much neglected by master-swordsmen. At last an unlooked-for opportunity, a short study in the Salle d’armes of Herr Balthasar Reich of Trieste, enabled me to reduce it to a system, and present it to the public.
I should premise, however, that the following observations are intended for professional men. It is therefore necessary only to name and number the Direct Cuts, the Guards and the Feints, the Reverse Cuts, and the Time Cuts of Manchette, as in most cases the simplest mention will suffice. The proficient will at once perceive that I offer a mere outline of the system whose many details must be learned by long practice. It is enough to give first principles: the minutiæ could not even be noticed without stretching description to a wearisome length.
There is no objection, I have said, to teaching squads of recruits all the simpler preparatory matter: the Three Positions; the Moulinet; the Engaging Guard, and the Guards or Parries. At a certain stage of progress, however, especially when beginning Manchette, the quick and intelligent soldier, who is likely to qualify himself as a master, must be instructed singly.
§ 2. The Direct Cuts in Manchette.
The following are the direct attacks in Manchette, simple and compound; all are done from the “Engaging Guard,” the Lunge being here inadmissible.